TOO MUCH WEALTH

Hokitika Guardian, 11 August 1927, Page 3

TOO MUCH WEALTH

) NOT GOOD FOR A. NATION. ,» “1 told many of the men 1 met in Australia that easy facilities for pto- - ducing wealth are not the best eondii tions for developing a strong nation.” t Uhe statement was made by Air P. f AY. Gramljean before leaving Auckland for iiis home in Toronto alter spending four months in New Zealand and Australia. Tin* traveller is secretary of the Canadian Ford Alotor C.’onipanq. “I agree.” he said, “with one of the leading American economists. C. \Y. Barron, who has been telling hi.s countrymen that to much wealth and too much prosperity are not good for a people, either as individuals or as a nation.’’ As a result of his visit to these parts. Mr Grandjean is more than ever convinced of the* need for the British nation to definitely plan for the future development of the Em-

pile. x' “AA hen I first came two years ago,’’ i he said. ‘*l felt that the best tiling i that could happen to this Empire of I ours would be to decentralise not only t some of the population, but also some - oi the resources for developing the Empire. Instead of Great Britain i saying to the Dominions, *Buv from us. they should have a policy of pitting some of their essential industries in Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Along with" these the Dominions might take, sav. five millions of the surplus population of Britain.” Asked it Canada would he prepared to take her share, Mr Grnndjeu replied that he most certainly thought so. Canada always had and still was ready to take large numbers of people from the Motherland. Speaking of his recent tour through Australia, the visitor said he was struck by the easier conditions of living as compared with those in Canada. I lie difficulties ill the* latter country had produced a greater urger in her people to discover the* best means of developing her natural resources. He believed that these were the best conditions for nation building. , In Australia, he found a more* eon- ] servative* outlook on life, but. on this last visit, he thought he deteetecl a greater readiness to apply modern methods of elliciency in industrial as well as in other phases of national life. i Neither Australia, nor to a lesser de- r give New Zealand, could escape being subject, to ihe sweep at world-wide conditions. _ “l think Australia is on tin* thres- J hold of better things," said Air Grand- r( jean, ‘■and that sin* realises the tie- n( velopnienl of tin* country can only lie brought about by adopting greater means of effieienev in fanning, ini * " O' ciustry and commerce.’’ The visitor j 1( was impressed xx'itli tile development £> since his visit, two years ago in AA'es- ■ tern Australia, where year they ~ produced over 3!),0DD.(1C0 bushels of 'pj l wheat, much c.f it. from lands that j. were formerly considered to lie too a

Each of the States was visited, and Mr Grancljenn noticed that iu all there was great activity in building, particularly in replacing old city buildings with new ones. He also did not fail tc> observe* that the people of Australia give much of their time to the enjoyment of sport and entertainment. He feels that ill order to make the most of their country and of themselves they will in future years need to devote hcmselves more seriously to work along proved lines of efficiency. “My best advice to New Zealand." said Mr Gramljean, “is that she should send a trade commissioner to Canada. AVo in Canada look to see a big increase in trade between the two countries, and I know of no better way to encourage it than through the efforts erf a direct representative.’’